Electrical Safety for Kids: Protect Your Kids from Electrical Danger

One of the primary concerns of all parents is the safety of their children. While a lot of thought and effort goes into childproofing homes, parents often overlook the significance of educating their children on electrical safety measures. Training children in electrical safety ensure that they comprehend the risks associated with electricity and know how to protect themselves from electrical hazards. 

When you teach your child how to safeguard themselves from potential electrical dangers, you do not only make sure that they understand precisely what they should avoid doing, but they can also identify risks and prevent their friends from making perilous mistakes related to electricity. In fact, electrical safety training for kids could be made an essential part of home and school education for children. This shall increase awareness and minimise the risk of untoward electrical accidents.

In this article, we will explore some effective electrical safety tips for kids that will help to protect children from potential electrical hazards.

Ten Electrical Safety Tips to Protect Kids

Technology has progressed manifold in the past two decades. Especially after the pandemic, more and more children have access to technology from a very young age. From electronic devices like computers, mobile phones, reading devices, and video games, to other electrical appliances, nothing is out of reach of children nowadays and therefore, they are now also more exposed to electrical risks.

The number of people, including children, suffering from electrical accidents or even death is increasingly common. This makes it all the more crucial for us to ensure electrical safety for kids. A recent study has shown how one-third of parents claimed that their child began interacting with a smartphone before they were even 5 years old! This overwhelming increase in access to gadgets at a very tender age means that children are also increasingly exposed to more risk factors. 

In such a scenario children have to be taught the basics of gadget usage. So, here are ten electrical safety tips to ensure the safety of kids. 

1. Educate Children about the Various Perils of Electricity

   Children must be educated about the dangers of electricity. If your child regularly uses smartphones or other similar gadgets, tell them that they should not leave their phones or laptops charging on the bed or under their pillows as it is extremely dangerous and a common cause of electrical fires. Further, it may cause the device to explode. They must also be enlightened about the risks of perusing a device when it is charging, for the same reason.

2. Avoid Cheap Gadgets and Electrical Accessories

   Many teenagers tend to buy cheap, imitation gadgets and accessories like earphones and chargers. While products from big brands can also occasionally malfunction, the risk is far greater with imitation gadgets, almost all of which have not been tested for electrical safety and do not match up to standard safety measures. 

   These devices are very likely to cause electric shocks and even explode leading to terrible accidents. Young people need to be made aware of the risks that come with using these cheap imitation products. Parents must keep track of the gadgets their children are purchasing and using, look up the safety rating of these devices, and explain to kids why certain devices may be dangerous and must not be used under any circumstances.

3. Hazards Posed by Plug Socket Covers

   It is normal for parents to install socket covers in their homes. However, most of them remain oblivious to the dangers of plug socket covers. It is true that children are curious about all things adult and sockets are a natural lure for them but parents must understand that often socket covers may pose more of a risk for children than the sockets themselves.

   While most modern sockets follow safety guidelines, socket covers do not. Sockets are often so designed that they are too tiny for children to insert their fingers into them. They also usually come with an inbuilt safety mechanism. Socket covers, on the other hand, use no such safety measures and can be extremely dangerous for children by increasing, rather than preventing, their vulnerability to electric shocks.

4. Keep Electrical Cords Out of Reach

   Electrical cords are difficult to manage and are fixtures in almost every household. But when there is a child in the house, one has to be extra careful regarding electrical wires. Children run the risk of tripping on or pulling electrical wires. Very young children may also put wires in their mouths if they find one at hand. This is extremely dangerous and may harm your child. Try to keep exposed electrical cords in places that children cannot reach. Consider investing in cord organizers to prevent accidental pulling or tripping.

5. Teach Proper Handling of Appliances

   It is important that your children know how to use appliances safely. The first thing that should be imperative for children to know is that they must, under no circumstances, touch electrical appliances with wet hands or while standing in water. They should also be shown how to unplug devices by gripping the plug and not the cord as the latter could damage the cord and lead to electrocution.

6. Demonstrate Safe Plug Insertion

   To ensure electrical safety for kids, don’t assume that your children already know how to plug devices in. Demonstrate to them how to align the plug prongs correctly before inserting the plug into an outlet. Tell them that they should not use force if the outlet seems faulty or if they notice sparks. Encourage them to ask for the assistance of adults if they face difficulties while plugging in devices.

7. Children should Stay Away from Power Lines

   Take your children out on a walk and show them what power lines are. Tell them about the electrical dangers posed by power lines and ensure that they stay away from them. They must not play, climb trees, or fly kites near power lines. Emphasise the fact that they should never touch power lines or approach them, even if they look safe and insulated.

8. Reinforce that Water and Electricity are a Dangerous Combination 

   Stress and reinforce for your children that water and electricity are a hazardous combination. They should always remember that electrical cords, switches, or outlets must under no circumstances be touched with wet hands. This warning is especially pertinent with bathroom appliances such as geysers and hair dryers installed in the washrooms. Also, teach them to immediately inform an adult if they notice an electrical outlet or device close to water sources.

9. Be a Role Model for Your Children

   Children learn a lot through observation. If you want your children to practise electrical safety, you must demonstrate such behaviour for them yourself. Be a positive role model for them by showing them the importance of switching off and unplugging devices when they are not in use and using electrical gadgets responsibly. Run a regular maintenance check (maybe once in three months) on the electrical devices, cords, and outlets in your home with your children in tow so that they know exactly what glitches to look for. 

10. Set Out Clear Rules

    Make a list of things that your children should and should not do with regard to electrical appliances and put it up on the wall. For instance, the best electrical safety poster for kids will state that children should never play with electrical appliances or try to repair any gadget by themselves. They should also immediately inform an adult if they notice a burning smell, sparks, or smoke. You can even make a game of it with children. Play a memory game by asking them to recite as many rules as they can remember by looking at the poster once. In this way, you can ensure that they know electrical safety tips by heart.

Also Read: Best Electrical Safety Devices You Need To Have Installed In Your Home

By educating our children on electrical safety, we can ensure that they make responsible choices and safeguard themselves against probable electrical dangers. Implementing the above-mentioned electrical safety tips for kids can go a long way in protecting your children from harm. Remember that constant communication, supervision and leading by example are imperative if you want to protect your children from harm and garner their consciousness about electrical safety.

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High-Quality wires, cords, and other electrical equipment go a long way in ensuring the safety of your children and your homes. And when it comes to high-quality and safe electrical equipment, Schneider Electric eShop is dedicated to protecting your home and your loved ones. Schneider Electric is one of the most reliable and trusted brands in the market for electrical equipment and all their products meet industry safety standards by going through multiple levels of rigorous checks. 

Browse through the range of products at the Schneider Electric eShop or feel free to contact their team today for safe and durable electrical equipment for your home.